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By Dan Donahue

Wednesday, December 04, 2024

Good Wednesday afternoon. The CEO of UnitedHealthcare was fatally shot in a "brazen, targeted attack" in New York City, we're tracking a dangerous Arctic blast threatening millions, and President-elect Donald Trump is considering replacing his embattled pick to lead the Pentagon.

Here is what's in our Nightly Rundown.

UnitedHealthcare CEO fatally shot in New York City, urgent manhunt underway

The chief executive of one of the nation's largest health insurance companies was fatally shot outside a hotel in Manhattan in a "brazen, targeted attack" this morning, and an urgent manhunt is underway for the masked gunman who fled the scene, the NYPD said.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was walking to a hotel where his company's investor conference was scheduled to take place when he was shot at least once in the back and once in the right calf by an assailant, who was lying in wait for several minutes, police said.

Surveillance video (warning: disturbing) appears to show the hooded gunman step onto the sidewalk from behind a parked vehicle, then aim and fire his weapon at Thompson, who stumbles after he is struck.

Police said another image shows the suspect riding a Citi Bike, which he he used to escape the scene. The suspect was last seen in Central Park. The motive is currently unknown.

Three live 9mm rounds and three discharged 9mm shell casings were found at the scene. Police also recovered a cell phone nearby. Investigators would not confirm reports that the gunman used a silencer, but said he showed proficiency with his firearm.

The shooting happened just blocks away from the site of tonight's Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said officers will be out in force to protect the event.

Fast-moving Arctic blast targets millions with snow squalls, high winds

Winter weather alerts are in effect for 19 million people from North Dakota to Maine, as a fast-moving Arctic blast threatens to unleash dangerous snow squalls and potentially knock out power in parts of the Midwest and Northeast.

The clipper system is already producing scattered snow over parts of northern Michigan and western New York, on the heels of the lake effect snow event that dumped several feet in parts of the Great Lakes and interior Northeast.

Snow squalls could bring dangerous travel conditions, and some light snow could fall on the I-95 corridor tomorrow morning, including in New York City.

Wind alerts are also in effect for 73 million people from the northern Plains to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, where strong gusts could lead to downed tree branches and isolated power outages.

Trump considers DeSantis to replace embattled defense secretary pick Hegseth

President-elect Donald Trump is considering replacing his embattled defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to two sources familiar with the decision-making.

NBC News reported Tuesday that Hegseth's nomination is in peril, with as many as six Republican senators wavering in their support for him, amid allegations of excessive alcohol use and reports about his treatment of women.

Hegseth vowed in a social media post today that he would not withdraw as Trump's pick, calling the reporting on the allegations he faces an attempt to "smear" him with "fake, anonymous sources & BS stories."

The former Fox News host also told CBS News that he had spoken this morning to Trump, who told him to "keep going, keep fighting. I'm behind you all the way."

Sinkhole search intensifies for missing grandmother in Pennsylvania

Rescue workers are searching a sinkhole outside Pittsburgh for a second day, amid fears that a missing grandmother may have fallen down into it while looking for her cat.

Elizabeth Pollard, 64, hasn't been seen since Monday, when authorities believe she plunged into a manhole-sized opening above an old coal mine, into a hole estimated to be at least 30 feet deep.

Authorities lowered a rover and pole cameras into the hole and heard no sounds, but spotted what appeared to be a shoe, a fire official said.

What else we're watching:

The Supreme Court appeared to lean toward upholding Tennessee's ban on transgender care for minors during arguments today in a case that could have a wide-reaching impact on transition-related care nationwide.

The stowaway who allegedly slipped past security to board a flight from JFK airport to Paris is on a Delta Air Lines flight back to New York City, a source with knowledge of the situation said.

The Israeli military said it has recovered the body of Itay Svirsky, who was taken hostage during the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attack and then killed in captivity.

A California teacher died a month after she was bitten by bat in her classroom, a friend and family spokesperson told NBC News.

Zepbound vs. Wegovy: Which popular weight loss drug helped patients shed more pounds, according to a new study?

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony will be broadcast live tonight on NBC and streamed on Peacock as part of a two-hour "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" special beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

Spotify Wrapped is here, and this artist was the most-streamed on the platform for the second year in a row.

Watch us this evening at 6:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. CT on NBC, or check your local NBC station listing. After the broadcast, access Nightly News video on NBCNightlyNews.com or the NBC News app.